Lavington car fire: Kentucky Ave stolen car set alight, likely used for crimes

A Corowa family have been left devastated after their car was found on fire in Lavington. But they’re not alone after a spate of thefts.

The owners of a car which was set alight in a Lavington street have been found after the car was allegedly stolen from Corowa.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Stoltenberg said the white Land Rover Evoque station wagon, which was found burnt out at Kentucky Ave last week, after was stolen from a Corowa family on March 4.

“It’s quite an expensive vehicle,” Chief Insp Stoltenberg said.

“We’re obviously very keen to speak to anyone who knows where that vehicle has been for the past month.

“We have some information it may have been further west along the Vic/NSW border, but we’re wanting to firm things up.

“You don’t have to be Einstein, I can take a leap of faith in this — I’ve got no doubt that vehicle was used to commit criminal offences, potentially the likes of break, enter, and steals.

“The reason why it’s been set alight — no doubt the person who took the vehicle up to that Kentucky Ave location wanted to make sure there wasn’t too much left.”

Chief Insp Stoltenberg said car thefts had huge affect on owners and their families.

“It’s no good,” he said.

“We’ve got a family out there now who don’t have a motor car.

“For a month they’ve hoped they’d get it back, and now it’s been totally destroyed.”

Chief Insp Stoltenberg said in the last 24 to 36 hours, Murray River police had recovered five stolen cars, including the CX9 Mazda stolen from a Springdale Heights family, and a BMW which was stolen from the Albury Family Car Centre.

“Both of those vehicles were recovered yesterday,” he said.

“The BMW was recovered overnight with the assistance of Wodonga police, and I’m lead to believe there is currently someone assisting them with their inquiries.

He said the CX9 was recovered in Albury yesterday.

“That’s been seized by police where its being forensically examined and I’m very confident we’ll be able to get to the bottom of that also,” Chief Insp Stoltenberg said.

Chief Insp Stoltenberg warned Albury residents to make sure they removed keys and locked their vehicles.

“Unfortunately there are still people who from time to time leave their keys in the car or leave their car unlocked which is pretty much an open invitation to some of these grubs to help themselves to the vehicle,” he said.

“There are other people who have become victims because people, through whatever knowledge or know-how, can illegally break into the car and illegally start it and drive away …

“So it‘s a significant risk to any community and any family.

“We really encourage the community to target harden their properties and if they see something going on in their neighbourhood, to report it straight away.”